You're in the Trees. ­ Let's Get You Out
Golfers have a saying: "Trees are 90 percent air." That's true if
you're trying to hit over or through them. But when your ball is
under low-hanging branches, lying against roots, or situated so you
can't make a normal swing, trees are 100 percent trouble.
From any lousy lie, you want to get the ball in the fairway with a
chance of saving the hole. The following plays will help.
Under Low Branches
When limbs restrict your backswing, make several slow, smooth
practice swings, bringing the club back until it just brushes the
obstruction. When making the shot, stay slow and relaxed: Take the
club as far back as you can, then swing with the arms and hands,
keeping head and body still.
Root Work
A ball against roots may be better left un-played: There's no point
breaking a club or your wrists. But sometimes you can safely get
free. If the ball is just in front of a root, top it with your putter.
Choke down for control, swing easily, and hit the top of the ball. If
the ball is behind a root, be careful. The shot might bounce back, and
if it touches you, it's a two stroke penalty (to say nothing of potential
injury). But if you have room, take a wedge and make an easy
swing.
When a root is to the side of the ball away from you, stand a little
further away, tighten your grip, and try making contact off the toe of
the club. If the root is between you and the ball, use your putter, or
else turn around and use an inverted wedge, as described below.